Nomination window closing for OSBA Board seats

The nomination period for OSBA Board positions closes Sept. 30, and nearly two-thirds of the open seats don’t have nominations yet.

The OSBA Board guides the association’s work to support school boards, and it provides members a platform to advocate for students in the Legislature, with the governor’s office and around the state. With the 2023 legislative long session, the state will be setting the course on vital issues such as education spending, school safety, and support for students’ mental and emotional health. 

Oregon school boards are choosing representatives for 13 regional OSBA positions this year. Nominations must be by formal resolution. Election materials and a calendar are on the OSBA Election Center. Voting begins Nov. 15.

OSBA Board positions are typically for two years and are based on geographic areas. This year, all odd-numbered positions are up for election, except position 19 (Multnomah). OSBA Board President-elect Sonja McKenzie, of the Parkrose School Board, holds position 19 and will automatically become president on Jan. 1 and retain the seat. 

Position 8 (Clackamas), position 10 (Linn/Benton/Lincoln), position 12 (Marion) and position 16 (Washington) will also have elections for one-year terms. The board will appoint someone to positions that don’t receive a nomination. 

As part of the OSBA election season, the board will be choosing its leaders at the Sept. 23-25 meeting. The new officers will take their seats Jan. 1, same as the newly elected OSBA Board members. School boards will also have an opportunity to vote on a resolution on this year’s “Legislative Priorities and Principles” and can submit other resolutions by Sept. 30. 

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
jarnold@osba.org